Spared jail, mum who hurled her baby and maimed woman detective
A MOTHER who threw her baby son at a policewoman, leaving her disabled for life, avoided a jail sentence yesterday.
The officer caught the infant but in the process of saving him from injury badly hurt her back, leaving her needing surgery.
Kirsty Bearfield, 24, used the infant as a missile after being told by the detective that her two children would be staying with their father for the night.
Police had been called to Hull Royal Infirmary where Bearfield had taken her older child for treatment.
There had been fears the injury may not have been an accident.
Anger
In the end it was not found to be suspicious but, for other reasons, social workers decided it would be best if the children spent the time with their father, Hull Crown Court was told.
Bearfield was in a waiting area, with the baby on her knee, as the detective constable explained the decision.
Prosecutor Phillip Evans said: “Upon hearing this news the defendant threw the baby at the officer with a look of anger on her face.”
The officer “put her arms up and caught the baby who had been flung towards her”, Mr Evans said.
She put her head back so the back of the baby’s head would not hit her face and managed to catch the 30lb infant without him being injured.
The officer was in immediate discomfort and a scan revealed a trapped nerve in her lower spine, which required surgery.
She still does not have full use of her left shoulder and has been left with a six-inch scar.
The officer said her daughter had just started primary school at the time of the incident and she had been unable to hug her when she felt anxious.
She added: “I have nightmares about her chucking her son and what could have happened.
“She needs to be made to realise you can’t behave like that. She robbed me of being able to be a mum to my child and that I can never forgive.”
Bearfield, who has four previous convictions for battery, admitted inflicting grievous bodily
2017.
Steven Garth, defending, said: “This is a highly unusual case. She had the most wretched start to life. Both her parents were heroin addicts and they did not want her.
“She was neglected by them and placed in care when just a toddler. By the age of five she had been placed with 39 different foster carers spread around the country.”
Judge Paul Watson said: “I was personally moved to hear of the profound effects this injury caused.They were caused by you.”
Bearfield was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and must have up to 25 days rehabilitation. harm in
November